A Change of Fate?

"Well, you'll never know if you don't try!Now, we could sit here and argue or we can head to the library and get some books for this..."

Apple couldn't think of the word... After a few moments she found it.

"This... Adventure!"

Apple thought it'd be nice to go somewhere and not worry about having to clean the house every night. Heck, maybe she'd make some more friends. Apple was excited, if he said they'd go they could have an adventure and even if he said 'no' she would still have a friend!

"So, shall we be heading?"

Red looked at Apple with the same amount of enthusiasm she gave off. Somepony wanted to help Red without being all dramatic? That was great! But why they had to head to the library was odd. What could books do for this?

"Let's go! But, um, just one question. Why are we heading to the library? I don't see what books could do for us."

Red loved the help. Maybe he would find his mother after all these years. Celestia knows how much he missed her. But for the life of him he had no idea what this could do for his destiny.

"Another question. How do you think this could affect my destiny?"

"First question shall answer the second question. We'll go to the library to find out if it will change your destiny, and there might be a pony who would know your mother if by chance you knew her real name. There's a good chance your mother would be in family's family tree and somehow the library has book on ponies family trees even my own!"

Apple stopped and breathed she had never said so much at once! She smiled at Red. He must think she was crazy.Oh well. Apple got her saddle bags and some other things. Bits, snacks and drinks, and a few medical supplies. You can never be too safe. Apple started towards the door then stopped.

"So, shall we be heading?"

Red was a bit confused with what Apple was saying. He still didn't know what books could do for him, but he was willing to try. It could also lead to him finding his mother. Red was never much of a reader. He also had no clue what a book could hold or what it could do for him.

Red watched Apple gather all of these supplies. This really was an adventure. He got up and waited outside for her. When she came and led the way, he couldn't help but ask again.

"I really hate sounding like a Negative Nancy, but I still wonder what books can do for me. I'm just a simple teenage farmer. Not saying I wont try, I'm more than willing. I just don't know how much it'll help."

"Well, I'm just a teenager who doesn't know many ponies and they still have my family tree and stuff."

Apple started trotting outside not stopping if she stopped that would mean talking to a lot more ponies. Apple did stop when she saw a poor filly out on the sidewalk asking- no BEGGING for food. Apple went to a apple pie stand, bought a pie, and gave it to the filly then started back on her journey to the library.

She sat down and waited at the steps of the library for Red to catch up. Apple knew he wouldn't be too far behind.

Red Harvest followed Apple through Ponyville. She was making a B-line to the library. They actually had a family tree on her? If they had one for her, they must have one on him. He fed everypony. So basically, he was one of the ponies who kept this town alive. So he had to be important enough to have that kind of documentation.

As they were trotting by, they saw a filly asking for food. Red would have gladly given her some of his leftover corn, but Apple bought her an apple pie first. He then followed her to the library. She really wanted to get in there. He trotted in, and was caught in mass wonder. There were so many books. He had no idea what was what. Red hated to realize it, but he'd never been in the library before

"There's so many... Where do we look first?"

Apple started in the H section.

"No, no, no, no, no, ah here we are the Harvest's family tree."

Apple looked at the names and giggled

"Your on here, and you look so cute!"

Her voice was at a whisper. She gave the family tree to Red.

"Your parents are on here too. What were their names? I can't really tell for the life of me"

Apple smiled and awaited the answer.

Red Harvest watched as Apple looked through hundreds of books with H in their titles. She finally found his family tree. She opened it and immediately found a picture of Red. She said he looked cute. Red blushed a little bit and chuckled nervously.

"Hehe, thanks Apple."

Red looked above his picture and saw two ponies. He could just barely recognize his father. A hard look, dark red coat, and a messy blue mane. He remembered his name only because his mom said nasty things about him quite often. He pointed to the picture.

"That's my dad, Rolling Stone. I hate him..."

Red slammed his hoof on his picture, as if he actually punched him. This was the only time Red ever showed an angry side. He really hated his father. Well, how could you not hate a stallion who impregnates a nice mare and then runs off?

Red took a deep breath, and went back to looking in the book. Across from his father, was a sweeter looking mare with a black mane, golden coat, and kind green eyes. That was certainly his mother. He pointed to the picture.

"That's my momma, Golden Harvest. She was a sweet mare."

Red looked past those two and to his recorded ancestors. Most of his mom's side were also farmers. That didn't exactly help him. He looked to his father's side. Not very many great ponies. Most of them were criminals or other kinds of scum.

"I sure do have a great family history..."

Red then looked to the first one that was entered on his mom's side. He appeared to be some kind of artist. Pretty successful too. But he had some doubts that it mattered to him. It was from so long ago.

"Look at this one. He was a famous artist. You think it could have anything to do with me?"

Apple watched as Red went through his family's history, it was cute how he reacted to them. She almost forgot what he had asked.

"You never know Red, are you good at painting?"

She thought about Red's mother and him having to work alone without his father. She smiled thinking of what Red looked like when he was a colt. She came back to reality. It was still a cute thought. She was hoping he wouldn't ask about her family tree.

"So, shall we be checking out?"

Apple couldn't think about the lucky mare that had (and left) a wonderful child. She was still thinking of what Red looked like as a colt.

Red was still skimming through the book about his family tree. He wondered if he could actually paint. He hasn't really tried. Well, when he was a colt, he did fiddle with drawing a bit. He was alright. He would have done it more, but farm work got in the way.

"I don't know. I haven't actually tried. At least not recently."

Red flipped through the pages and towards the end he found a picture of when he was a young colt standing next to his mom in the corn fields. he was so adorable back then, and his mom was so happy. Of course, she was happy that she had a son like Red Harvest, but taking care of a child and that much crop gets too difficult. If it were just a bit easier, Golden would have never left.

A little tear appeared in Red's eye. This was the first time he ever cried over his parents. He was beginning to miss his momma. But, he did what he always did. Sucked it up and kept moving. He showed the picture of little Red and his mom and was ready to leave.

"Oh my goodness. You looked so cute back then!"

She smiled at the photo and put the book in her saddle bag before they headed off on their journey. Apple gasped she had almost forgotten it!

"Almost forgot... Be right back... Stay here."

Apple ran back inside the library, got a book, and ran back out. It was the book of destinies.

"Alright we can go now."

She put the other book in her saddle bag too.

"So, where do we go now?"

Red Harvest watched Apple grab two books and stuff them in her saddlebag. Apple thought Red was cute as a colt. He blushed a little bit. He was a pretty cute foal. And not a bad looking stallion.

Red trotted out of the library with Apple. For some reason, he felt a little connection with her. More than friendly connection. He was beginning to really like Apple. She was nice, sweet, fun, and not hard to look at. He was glad that she helped him on something he kept pushed back for years.

Red then tried to think of where they should go next. He had no idea where or what to do. So far, all he knew was one of his ancestors was an accomplished painter, and he looked cute.

"Um... I can't really think of anything. Sorry if I'm being really unhelpful. Hmm, maybe somewhere that would have a good bit of art, and possibly get inspiration or find some art my great great grandpa did. But the only Art Gallery I can think of is all the way in Canterlot"

Red thought a bit harder, and remembered a somewhat friendly night he had in the tavern.

"I remember something! One night, when I was in the Tavern, I met two rather friendly ponies. One of them, Shy Smiles, is an artist. Maybe he could help me."

"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's go! Hehe"

Apple trotted with Red to see who this "Shy Smiles" was, surely he was a nice pony! Apple started getting lost in thought, mostly about Red. It was strange, she had never thought so much about somepony in her entire life... Surely it was a phase, she would get over it soon enough.

Red Harvest trotted along side Apple Orcherd. He had to admit, he was beginning to really like her. But he wasn't sure if it was genuine, or just a teenager phase. Either way, it felt nice having her around.

"Thanks again for helping me with this. Most ponies wouldn't even bother..."

Red went to the nearby hotel. He remembered overhearing that Shy had a breakdown and wasn't staying at his house for a while. Good for Red. He had no idea where Shy lived. Red stepped in with Apple and went to the front desk and asked to see Shy Smiles.

Oddly enough, there was another pony looking for him recently. A crystal guard mare. It kind of worried Red that this could annoy him. Being visited twice by ponies he hardly knew

Apple blushed a little when Red had said that, she thought she was just being annoying. Apple looked at the hotel Shy was staying at. They walked in to see Shy... Hopefully he could help. When they were told the room he was in Apple was already half way there and waiting for Red.

Apple skimmed through the books, they seemed very helpful. She yawned still waiting for Red.

Shy lay face down in his bed, feeling like hell. He was still getting over the whole burning thing. It wasn't her specifically that he was missing- it was the romance of it he supposed. He wasn't one for it, but he felt this strange longing in his chest. 'Love is nothing but a short term chemical response. Your body is just feeling the need to kiss somepony. It'll subside.' Was the main thought process that went through his head. Still, the desire was a nightmare to put up with. He'd find somepony when he wanted one. Which certainly wasn't now.

He got up and looked in the mirror. He had to admit he looked pretty bad. His mane was messier than usual, he had shadows under his eyes and his coat had gone a duller shade of blue from the emotional rollercoaster he'd experienced. It'll recover over time. For now he had to just sit it out and wait for the hormones to stop circulating like a beehive.

Shy heard hoofsteps approaching his room. Please walk past, please walk past, please walk past.....

Red Harvest followed Apple to Shy's room. She moved fast. She really wanted to get this done. Either she was excited, or she wanted to leave. Red figured, and hoped, it was the first one. he hated wasting a pony's time. Especially a nice one's time.

"Well, I guess this is his room. Hope he remembers me, or even helps at all."

Red lightly knocked on the door. He waited and waited, hoping Shy would come out. He kept having second thoughts about this whole thing.

Dear Celestia, I hope he helps. I don't want to go back to that farm. Maybe this was a bad idea... Maybe I belong there... Maybe Shy doesn't deserve to be bothered... I need this. I need to see if I have another talent and I can finally end that terribly boring cycle."

Apple looked at Red, he seemed very nervous about this. She patted his back letting him know that it's OK and that everything will work out. Of course she didn't know who Shy was or how he would react to seeing them.

"It'll be alright... Don't worry"

Urgh. The door knocked. Should he answer? On one hoof, it was polite. And it was probably just the post or something. Then again, he didn't really fancy seeing anypony right now. He wasn't vain but he still didn't like being seen in the messy, confused state he currently occupied. He didn't even really want talk to anypony when he was normal. Then again, it might be nice. Maybe somepony had sent him something good.

He walked away from the mirror and opened the door. Standing there was a colt that looked vaguely familiar and some mare who wasn't all that familiar. This better be good. Then it hit him. Where these two a thing? Half of him felt jealous, the other amused. Really? Bit young weren't they? Then again he'd kissed a Stallion at that age, so maybe he was being a little hypocritical.

Wait....the colt....ah yes, Red Harvest. That pony from that time he was in the tavern with that guard. What did this moron want from him?

"Oh Celestia. What do you want Red? Please make it quick, I'm not tip top right now."

Red Harvest saw the door open and out popped Shy Smiles. He looked terrible. He certainly wasn't "tip top" like he said. Red was starting to regret coming here. He backed away from him, feeling rude for interrupting him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were in a bad mood. Sorry to disturb you. I'll just... go then..."

Red was walking away, saddened. Then mid stride, he thought about the farm. If he didn't do this now, he'd be stuck at that place until he died. Red turned back around and went to Shy again.

"If it's no trouble, of course, I'd like to learn from you. Could you teach me art? It's a rather long story why I need you to do this. But, could you teach me? Please?"

Apple watched as Red backed away. She did not say a word for fear of making everything worse.She also watched as he stopped and turned around. At first Apple smiled at Red and the at Shy as Red asked Shy for help. She had hope that in the end, it will be alright.

Apologetic as usual. That really got on Shy's nerves- if you messed up then fair enough but he seemed to think that if he said anything wrong he'd be set upon by mountain lions. Sigh. And then all this talk of teaching him art. Why should he? Red had only been...nice...to......Shy.....

Celestia his head hurt. Still, he felt a moment of sympathy. This kid looked pretty desperate to be taught. Shy supposed it couldn't hurt. Anyway, he wasn't exactly doing much. Who knows, maybe this would be the debuff for the feelings Shy was bring forced to experience.

"Fine. I'll teach you. Here's my old address- all my paints and equipment are there since nopony went to collect them when I was carted off to the loony bin."

He gave Red a piece of paper with the address scrawled on it. There was also a list of all the stuff he needed, albeit simplified so even this cretin could understand.

"Get this stuff then I can teach you. Oh yeah, and mind the debris. I wasn't exactly paying much attention to the pointiness of the stuff I broke."

Shy was about to close the door when another question crossed his mind. He gritted his teeth and asked them:

"Also, are you two a thing? I've just never really seen this filly around and I'm mildly curious."

After recieving his answer, Shy closed the door and flopped back into the bed, awaiting the young ponies' return. He wasn't much for giving a damn about other ponies' relationships but he almost felt a little jealous that this kid had a potntial special somepony on his hooves.

Red Harvest was given a piece of paper with an address on it. This was where Shy lived. He trotted out of the hotel with Apple and went to the address. He said something about debris in his house. What could he have done to have that?

Red entered the house and saw broken objects all over the place. So that's what he meant. Red trotted carefully and grabbed the supplies the note listed. He grabbed some paper, brushes, paint, pencils, and pens. Seemed like stuff you would need for art.

Red carefully went over sharp debris and trotted back to the hotel. He knocked on the door and waited for Shy to come back out.

"I have everything I need. I'm ready."

Apple followed Red to Shy's house be remained outside of it for fear of her stepping on broken glass. She smiled as she thought. Wow, this is an adventure! Her mind had her lost in thought, she was really surprised how quickly they had made it back to Shy's hotel room.

Shy came back to the door. He'd cleaned himself up a little since this pair were coming in, and depending on what amount of damage they'd do Shy might have to be at his best. He looked at Red, who indeed had the stuff they needed. Alright, let's get this farce going.

He let the younger ponies into his room. It wasn't particularly clean or messy- a wrapper here and there but otherwise decent. Shy took the stuff off Red and set up two canvases, one for each if them. He gave Red a pencil and then took one himself.

"Right. The first thing you need to know is that art isn't just a picture- it's a way to bring form to thought. Think of it as creating something. So what we're going to do is I'll draw something I've been thinking about while you draw something that's been on your mind. Don't worry about whether the drawing itself is crap or not since that will just come with time."

With that, Shy took his pencil to the paper and started drawing a pony.